Cecilia A. Kettles

Cecilia Agustin Kettles (Age 57) Of Alexandria, VA, Cecilia was born on November 22, 1957 in Tarlac, Philippines and died peacefully on Saturday, September 5, 2015 at Walter Reed National Medical Center in Bethesda, MD after fighting Leukemia for three years. She was surrounded by her husband of 34 years; Jerome Jay Kettles (age 59), her three children - Margaret Agustin Kettles (age 28), Cornelius Jerome Kettles (age 27) and Kristin Agustin Kettles (age 21). Her three sisters, Epifania, Mercuria, Irene, and six brothers Antonio, Ceferino, Rodrigo, Juanito, Jesus and Carlos from around the country were also present. In 1977, Cecilia joined the US Navy in Jacksonville, FL as an SN Boatswains Mate (E-1), and retired 26 years later as a Senior Chief Hospital Corpsman (E-8). She loved the Navy and served on ships and shore in Pearl Harbor HI, Charleston, SC, Norfolk, VA, Amchitka, AK, Baltimore, MD, Washington, DC and Bethesda, MD. Cecilia has received numerous awards and commendations and managed to complete her BS degree in Liberal Arts from Excelsior College and her MA degree in Health Services Management from Webster University during her time on active duty. After military retirement, Cecilia continued to make use of her acquired knowledge and skills by serving as a federal civil servant in the Navy National Medical Center (later renamed Walter Reed) Bethesda. Cecilia had great bosses, co-workers and friends supporting her during her illness, and insisted on going to work every day she could, up to the end. She was a devoted Filipino Catholic who loved her family and never missed an opportunity to talk about them, even when the children were just babies, but she always practiced humbleness in matters regarding herself. Visitation at Jefferson Funeral Chapel, 5755 Castlewellan Dr. Alexandria, VA on Friday, September 18, 2015 from 5-9 PM with Rosary at 7:30 PM. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Lawrence the Martyr Roman Catholic Church, 6222 Franconia Rd. Alexandria, VA on Saturday at 11 AM. Interment at Arlington National Cemetery on Monday, January 4, 2016 at 1 PM. In lieu of flowers or gifts please make memorial contributions to St. Lawrence Catholic Church.

Tributes

Cecilia A. Kettles

November 22, 1957 - September 5, 2015